Ellagic acid, a natural polyphenol protects rat peripheral blood lymphocytes against nicotine-induced cellular and DNA damage in vitro: with the comparison of N-acetylcysteine

The present work is aimed at evaluating the protective effect of ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenolic compound that is widely distributed in fruits and nuts against nicotine-induced toxicity in rat peripheral blood lymphocytes. The effect of EA against nicotine toxicity was compared with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a well-known antioxidant. Lymphocytes were exposed to nicotine at the doses of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 mM for 1h in culture media. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), a lipid peroxidative marker and reduced glutathione (GSH), as indicative of endogenous antioxidant status were analyzed to fix the optimum dose. The lowest concentration eliciting significant damage was 1 mM nicotine and maximum damage was observed with 3 mM concentration, as evidenced by increased levels of TBARS and decreased levels of GSH. Hence, the test concentration was fixed at 3 mM nicotine. To establish most effective protective support we used five different concentrations of EA (10, 50, 100, 150 and 300 microM) against 3 mM nicotine. A dose-dependent inhibitory effect was observed with all doses of EA. Maximum protection was observed at the dose of 100 microM EA. So, 100 microM dose was used for further studies. We have tested five different concentrations of NAC-0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mM to elucidate the optimum protective dose against nicotine toxicity. One millimolar NAC showed a significant protection against nicotine toxicity. Protective effect of EA against nicotine toxicity was elucidated by analyzing the lipid peroxidative index, viz., TBARS, hydroperoxides (HP) and endogenous antioxidant status, viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), Vitamins A, E and C. DNA damage and repair were assessed by using alkaline single-cell microgel electrophoresis (Comet assay) and micronucleus assay. There was a significant increase in the levels of lipid peroxidative index, severity in DNA damage and micronuclei number in nicotine-treated group, which was positively modulated by EA treatment. Antioxidant status was significantly depleted in nicotine-treated group, which was effectively restored by EA treatment. The protection of EA against nicotine toxicity was equally effective to that of NAC. EA and NAC treatment alone did not produce any damage to the normal lymphocytes at their effective doses. These findings suggest the potential use and benefit of EA as a modifier of nicotine-induced genotoxicity.     

Attitudes, knowledge and barriers to participation in cancer clinical trials among rural and remote patients

Aim: To assess the knowledge of randomized clinical trials and willingness and barriers to participation among rural, remote and regional cancer patients of North Queensland. Methods: A survey was conducted in medical oncology outpatient clinics at the Townsville and Mt Isa hospitals on patients, following their informed consent, using questionnaires. Rurality was defined according to the rural remote and metropolitan area classification. Results: Of the 180 patients approached, 178 participated. The median distance to the regional trial center for rural participants was 180 km (range 80–1300 km). 45.4% lived in rural or remote areas and the rest lived in Townsville, a regional metropolitan center. Their overall knowledge was low, with a median knowledge score of 3 (inter‐quartile ranges n = 2.5). For randomized controlled trials there were no significant relationships between willingness to participate and rurality or education level (P = 0.981). Cost of travel (41.1% rural or remote; 23.5% regional; P < 0.001) and the need for family or friends to accompany them (38.9% rural or remote; 24.1% regional, P = 0.021) were more important for rural/remote than regional patients as factors affecting participation. Conclusion: Rural and remote patients are as interested in participating in randomized clinical trials as regional patients. Their knowledge of trials is poor and education earlier in the consultations is needed. Since cost of travel and the need for family members to accompany them are important for rural patients trial budgets should include the cost of travel to encourage participation.     

Gait symmetry: a comparison of hip resurfacing and jumbo head total hip arthroplasty patients

Proponents of large femoral head total hip arthroplasty (THA) and hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) have touted the potential for restoration of more normal hip kinematics. This study examined 20 patients (10 THA and 10 HRA patients) approximately 18 months after surgery. Subjects were evaluated at a self-selected pace, while bilateral spatial-temporal gait variables, hip flexion/extension kinematics, and ground reaction forces were collected. For both groups, swing time was increased on the surgical side, whereas peak hip flexion, peak extension, and flexion at heel strike were decreased. Peak hip extension and peak vertical ground reaction forces were decreased in THA subjects compared with HRA subjects. After a large-diameter THA or HRA, subjects do not display symmetric gait approximately 18 months postoperatively. Total hip arthroplasty subjects demonstrated restricted hip extension and reduced limb loading when compared with HRA subjects.     

Correcting highly aberrated eyes using large-stroke adaptive optics

PURPOSE: To investigate the optical performance of a large-stroke deformable mirror in correcting large aberrations in highly aberrated eyes. METHODS: A large-stroke deformable mirror (Mirao 52D; Imagine Eyes) and a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor were used in an adaptive optics system. Closed-loop correction of the static aberrations of a phase plate designed for an advanced keratoconic eye was performed for a 6-mm pupil. The same adaptive optics system was also used to correct the aberrations in one eye each of two moderate keratoconic and three normal human eyes for a 6-mm pupil. RESULTS: With closed-loop correction of the phase plate, the total root-mean-square (RMS) over a 6-mm pupil was reduced from 3.54 to 0.04 microm in 30 to 40 iterations, corresponding to 3 to 4 seconds. Adaptive optics closed-loop correction reduced an average total RMS of 1.73+/-0.998 to 0.10+/-0.017 microm (higher order RMS of 0.39+/-0.124 to 0.06+/-0.004 microm) in the three normal eyes and 2.73+/-1.754 to 0.10+/-0.001 microm (higher order RMS of 1.82+/-1.058 to 0.05+/-0.017 microm) in the two keratoconic eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Aberrations in both normal and highly aberrated eyes were successfully corrected using the large-stroke deformable mirror to provide almost perfect optical quality. This mirror can be a powerful tool to assess the limit of visual performance achievable after correcting the aberrations, especially in eyes with abnormal corneal profiles.     

Another use of the Foley catheter: retraction for operations on the floor of mouth and ventral aspect of the tongue

A Foley catheter that is passed through the nose and sutured to the tip of the tongue can be used to facilitate retraction for operations on lesions on the ventral aspect of the tongue and the floor of the mouth. It provides excellent access and is simple, inexpensive, atraumatic, minimises frustration, reduces the operating time, and eliminates some of the difficulties associated with the use of metal retractors.     

Assessment of minimal residual disease in childhood non-hodgkin lymphoma by polymerase chain reaction using patient-specific primers

A feasibility study was undertaken to identify patient-specific primers (PSPs) from childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) specimens to detect minimal residual disease (MRD). Eleven tumor specimens were amplified using immunoglobulin heavy chain and T-cell receptor primers to identify PSPs, which were then used to evaluate staging/follow-up specimens. Disease was detected in 19 of 21 staging and 16 of 17 follow-up specimens. Among seven patients in remission by 1 month, PSPs identified MRD in follow-up specimens. This study demonstrated the feasibility of PSPs to identify disease in staging and follow-up specimens, which could be used to develop strategies for MRD analysis in a larger setting.     

The resting and house frequenting behavior of Mansonia annulifera, Ma. uniformis and Ma. indiana, the vectors of Malayan filariasis in Kerala State, India.

Mansonia annulifera, was recorded to be an endophilic species, preferring to rest indoors, while Ma. uniformis was exophilic, having a predilection for outdoor resting habitats, eg bushes and shrubs. Ma. indiana did not show a clear preference to either of these biotopes. In indoor resting collections, the unfed proportion of Ma. uniformis was significantly higher during post-dusk compared to day hours (p < 0.05), indicating that this exophilic species enters houses during dusk hours for feeding. The full fed proportion was higher during day hours compared to dusk/night hours. The semigravid proportion showed a significant reduction during post-dusk hours (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that after having a blood-meal this species rest indoors and leave the houses for outdoor resting sites during the dusk hours on the subsequent night.     

Use of adult male bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata) for testing the biological activity of gonadotropin releasing hormone and its analogues

The effect of injecting agonistic and antagonistic analogues of gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues on serum testosterone levels was checked in adult and immature male bonnet monkeys. Of the agonistic analogues Buserelin, Ovurelin and D-Phe6 Gln8 GnRH were found to be most potent in increasing serum testosterone levels in the adult male bonnet monkeys. While 27-month-old monkeys responded well to des Gly10 GnRH, only marginal response was observed in the case of 15-month-old monkeys. Studies carried out with Ovurelin indicated that it was not effective in causing desensitization in adult monkeys. The antagonistic analogue was effective in blocking nocturnal surge of serum testosterone. Based on these studies it is suggested the adult male bonnet monkeys can be effectively used for testing the activity of GnRH analogues.